Bob Kerrey: “all the concerns that I had for a heavy-handed approach from the Federal Government have been resolved, I must say. I…”

“all the concerns that I had for a heavy-handed approach from the Federal Government have been resolved, I must say. I appreciate very much the Labor Committee's hard work on this, and the administration's hard work on this. I remain concerned about some of the aspects of the legislation but, in general, it seems to me it does provide a very good framework for us to reform education from the ground up. I make it clear, Mr. President, those who, like myself and others, the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts, have pushed this legislation because it requires we set higher standards, make it clear that we as individuals, as parents in particular, but we as individuals, as citizens, are going to have to work harder. Our standards will not be achieved simply as a consequence of enactment of legislation. After discussing this with the sponsors and with the Secretary and the Governor of the State of Nebraska, I come to the consequence of believing this will indeed give us a framework for doing real grassroots groundwork support and reform of education.”